My Life in Milwaukee Public Schools: Kindergarten to Retirement [Paperback]

Michael Wenzel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2005

This is a book talking about the changes that have taken place in the Milwaukee Public Schools over a period of fifty years. It is seen from the eyes of a man who went from student to teacher, in the school system and worked year round at various other MPS jobs. As a student in the 1950's and 1960's, the high quality of the school system was evident. The changes started to be noticed in the 1970's, as the authors teaching career was beginning. By the year 2004, the time of retirement, Milwaukee has become a failing school system mired in mediocrity. The story of a young boy who had the opportunity to go to school in a fine school system becomes a teacher in the system and sees the changes that take place first hand. The system that had been outstanding was being attacked on all sides for its failures. This all takes place in one lifetime - one career. How bad has it become? After reading these five decades of stories and events - you decide!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Wenzel is a life long resident of the city of Milwaukee and a 1967 graduate of Boy's Technical High School. Wenzel received a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 1971. The degree saw an emphasis in Physical Education and Recreation. Wenzel was awarded the Southside Lions Club Alumni Award in 1967 for meritorious service to Boy's Technical High School, which acted as a steppingstone to a career in teaching. The Optimist Club of Milwaukee awarded the Optimist of the Year Award to Mr. Wenzel in 1987. This award highlights extra time and effort working with boys and girls of all ages. In 2004, the Wisconsin Senate, on the motion of State Senator Tim Carpenter, presented Wenzel a citation commending him for his outstanding career working, coaching, and teaching the children of Wisconsin upon this occasion of his retirement. The Wisconsin Senate offered their thanks for outstanding effort on behalf of Wisconsin kids. Michael Wenzel continues to see his career choice move forward in the work of his son, Marcus, who is teaching Health and Physical Education at Bay View High School, which is also a Milwaukee Public School. Michael Wenzel has spent five decades totally involved in some capacity with the Milwaukee Public Schools. Wenzel intends to continue providing service to the school system and the children of the Milwaukee Public Schools.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (March 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420836099
• ISBN-13: 978-1420836097
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,930,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Engrossing Story, March 31, 2005

By 

Kubasio - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life in Milwaukee Public Schools: Kindergarten to Retirement (Hardcover)

I found this book to be a compelling and engrossing non-fiction work. I loved how the author was able to bring me into his life and expose a system I never had any experience with. Even as the school system declines there is an overwhelming respect for the students and administration. Michael Wenzel's approach and detailed analysis is thorough without getting lost in the minutia. His career and community service is an inspiration for us all.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and intriguing, May 16, 2005

By 

Big Rygg "The Commissioner" (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life in Milwaukee Public Schools: Kindergarten to Retirement (Hardcover)

Personally, I don't know of any book that would be as effective as this one in outlining what the author is trying to get across. Starting as a student in Kindergarten all the way through a multi-year teaching career in the same school system...how do you get a better viewpoint than that?

It's a great read and I recommend it to anybody regardless of whether they're involved in education or not.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book tells it all, March 31, 2005

By 

The game (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life in Milwaukee Public Schools: Kindergarten to Retirement (Hardcover)

I just finished reading this book, there are many things that can be said. I am a current Milwaukee Public School teacher and this book reaches me on different levels. It is easy to get caught up in this mans life, the book is very hard to put down. There are many interesting stories, pictures that date back to the 1950's, and suggestions on how to improve the current state in inner city public schools. Anyone who is an educator would love to read this book. Anyone who likes to read a good story, or anyone who has children in school right now will be entertained and enlightened. Get this book today, you will not be sorry.